The United States and Paraguay detected threats linked to China that infiltrated systems in Paraguay, both governments confirmed following a joint cybersecurity review conducted on the South American country’s state networks. This cooperation between Washington and Asunción was part of bilateral efforts to secure digital infrastructure and counter foreign cyber-espionage operations.
The Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies of Paraguay reported that the detection occurred during joint activities aimed at strengthening digital security and protecting sensitive information. Although it was not specified which systems were compromised, the review highlighted the ability of external actors to breach official networks and raised alerts regarding the resilience of public systems against global threats.
This episode gained relevance when considering recent precedents. At the end of September 2024, another joint review allowed for the identification of the infiltration by the cyber-espionage network known as Flax Typhoon, directly associated with the Chinese regime and with a history of attacks on public entities in Taiwan.
President Santiago Peña linked these attacks to the diplomatic relationship between Paraguay and Taiwan, one of the few in the world and the only one in South America that has been maintained since 1957. China claims sovereignty over Taiwan and considers any alliance with the island an affront to its “one China” policy.
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The president highlighted the unique nature of the alliance with Taiwan in South America (EFE)
Microsoft had already warned in 2023 about the existence and scope of Flax Typhoon. It noted that the group focused on dozens of Taiwanese organizations for espionage purposes. The Paraguayan case added to the pattern of attacks targeting Taiwan’s allies, which reinforced international concern over the use of cyber tools as instruments of geopolitical pressure.
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The United States and Paraguay reiterated in their joint statement the commitment to building a secure and resilient digital environment. Both governments highlighted the importance of continuing technical cooperation and information exchange to address common cybersecurity challenges. In this context, Washington allocated an investment of USD 3.1 million in June 2024 to strengthen the protection of the Paraguayan military forces and bolster defense mechanisms against potential cyberattacks.
The strategic relationship between Paraguay and the United States has been consolidated both politically and commercially. President Santiago Peña has remarked on repeated occasions on the alliance with the United States, regarding the commemoration of the 250 years of American independence, and highlighted the shared values of freedom, equality, and human rights.
The political and commercial bond between the United States and Paraguay was consolidated, with a focus on defense, technology, and exports (Paraguay Presidency)
Paraguay stands as one of the main allies of the North American power in the region, a bond that has translated into cooperation for security, defense, and technological development.
Trade also constituted a central axis in this relationship. Exports of Paraguayan beef exceeded USD 2.095 billion in 2025, with the United States and Taiwan among the main destination markets, which reinforced the importance of keeping the systems that support production and logistics chains secure.
The discovery of cyber threats prompted both governments to intensify controls over critical networks and share relevant information to anticipate new intrusion attempts. The actions taken included periodic audits, training of technical teams, and the deployment of cutting-edge technology to detect and neutralize malicious actors.
